How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 724: Festival Champion 2
Previously on How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game...
So far, Riley’s meticulously crafted plans had unfolded with almost uncanny smoothness.
His primary objective, fortifying Snow’s strength, had not only been achieved but had surpassed his initial expectations by a significant margin.
There were no major obstacles to overcome, nor any critical issues that necessitated a deviation from his intended strategy.
In fact, the alignment of circumstances felt almost too perfect.
And this good fortune extended beyond just Snow.
Rose, Seo, and Alice—each of them experienced steady growth, becoming more powerful without lagging behind.
Even further afield, other crucial figures like Stacia, Flamme, Emilia, Vanessa, and Janica showed no signs of stagnation. Whether through Riley’s direct intervention or the natural progression of events, their development was undeniable.
Lucas, too, was a notable exception.
A faint exhalation escaped Riley as this thought crossed his mind.
The enhancements in his overall abilities were striking—a noticeable and significant improvement that could not be dismissed as mere chance.
At this juncture...
It was safe to conclude that Riley had succeeded.
He had successfully begun to mold the individuals who would stand by his side in the unfolding future, preparing them for the trials that lay ahead.
The true challenge...
Had yet to commence.
—
The vibrant festival was drawing to a close.
And in its wake—
A two-month respite awaited.
Following this, the real ordeal would begin.
[Act 5: The Three Epilogues]This marked the pivotal moment.
The point of divergence where all paths would splinter.
Originally, three distinct routes were possible.
However, now—
One of those pathways had already been eliminated.
The [White and Red Route].
This was Alice’s storyline.
Riley had already navigated and completed it.
Consequently, only two potential futures remained.
And regrettably, both of them...
Were far from the ideal outcome Riley envisioned.
The [Chaos Devourer] route.
And the [Apocalypse] route.
Neither of these paths promised a satisfactory conclusion, let alone the kind of future Riley was striving to secure.
This was fundamentally where the true stakes began to rise.
Because from this point forward—
Every single decision held immense significance.
’...Once the next semester commences...’
Liyana.
Liyana Heavens.
His original betrothed.
And, crucially—
The ultimate antagonist of the [Chaos Devourer] route.
Her enrollment into the academy was imminent.
And upon her arrival...
Circumstances were bound to shift dramatically.
Riley’s gaze dropped slightly, his expression subtly hardening.
Because, unlike any situation encountered thus far—
This was not a scenario he could oversee from a distance.
"...My decision will determine the outcome."
The manner in which he chose to handle Liyana—
Whether he intervened directly, sought her out, or maintained a hands-off approach—
This singular choice held the power to dictate which future would ultimately manifest.
Although the ultimate objective within that particular route involved Liyana’s demise, Riley had resolved to spare her and already harbored intentions for her salvation.
However, the efficacy of these plans remained uncertain.
Liyana was never a straightforward individual.
Her complexity was a constant.
Even now, she presented a departure from the Liyana he recalled from the game, and also distinct from the versions glimpsed in fractured timelines. While her core essence persisted, the subtler aspects—her demeanor, her reactions—were already undergoing a transformation.
This divergence rendered her considerably more challenging to manage.
She was not someone he could completely control, nor even fully comprehend.
Riley released a slow breath, his thoughts intensely focused.
Compounding this complexity—
He had already taken actions sufficient to provoke her.
...Yes, that is certainly going to be an issue.
A faint, dry murmur escaped his lips.
His thoughts momentarily wandered.
I sincerely hope she is already aware of Alice’s situation...
A brief pause ensued.
"...No. Actually—perhaps not."
His expression became subtly conflicted.
Her existing knowledge would imply a level of observation exceeding his expectations. Conversely, if she remained unaware, the moment of discovery would present its own unique set of complications.
Regardless of the scenario—
A tranquil resolution appeared unattainable.
Riley let out a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair.
Irrespective of the eventual outcome, whether favorable or adverse—
He was resolute about his course of action.
When the critical moment arrived—
He would need to subdue her.
Not to kill.
Nor to obliterate.
But to firmly keep her in check.
This delicate balance was the path he was compelled to tread.
However, prior to that necessity...
Certain confirmations were required.
...Lucas.
Specifically, Liyana’s reaction to him.
That held significant importance.
Because if Riley’s memory held true, and if that particular thread of ‘destiny’ had not completely unraveled—
Then a collision between Lucas and Liyana was preordained.
Her soul.
His very being.
Two entities inherently drawn towards one another, for reasons Riley found disquieting.
For her ‘unwavering heart’ to be stirred—
Lucas’s presence was indispensable.
If his hypothesis proved correct...
Then that intrinsic connection would not simply vanish.
It might not unfold precisely as before.
But an event was inevitable.
Because even with Riley’s extensive manipulations—
Fate possessed an uncanny ability to self-correct.
Nonetheless—
When weighed against all other emerging concerns—
Liyana no longer represented the foremost challenge.
Not truly.
He had already made ample preparations for her eventual emergence.
He had bolstered the strength of those surrounding him.
And established a foundation robust enough to withstand whatever trials were yet to come.
Dealing with her—that wasn’t what occupied his thoughts the most. A subtle shadow crossed his features. ...That goddess... Erebil. Even now, she had been circumventing their agreement, not by breaking it directly, but by bending its rules and exploiting loopholes, turning technicalities into potent weapons. Riley’s eyes narrowed, recognizing that such an opponent was far more dangerous than one who openly declared hostility. Trusting any word spoken by such a person was impossible. The timing alone was enough to incite his anger. The sudden surge of activity during the academy competition, followed immediately by the incident with Rose’s father—none of it seemed like mere coincidence anymore. In fact, it felt far too orchestrated, as if someone had been patiently waiting for the opportune moment to execute their plan. That goddess... she truly knew how to insert herself at the perfect time. Riley’s expression hardened fractionally. She hadn’t violated their agreement. Not outright. But direct violation wasn’t necessary. She simply needed to maneuver around it, which was precisely what she had been doing. This realization made it clear to him—he could no longer afford to leave any openings, not even the smallest ones. If there was even a remote possibility of her interfering with his carefully laid plans, he had to preemptively neutralize the threat. "...Vanessa." "Huh?" The girl turned upon hearing her name, her eyes widening in surprise. "Senior Riley? When did you— I thought you were away for the past few days..." Riley had found himself at the secluded rear of the academy’s church, a place where the atmosphere was dramatically different from the usual campus bustle. It was quiet. Serene. Perhaps too serene. Behind the structure... lay a garden. No—more than just a garden. It was a veritable miniature forest. Rows of cultivations stretched between towering trees, the air thick with the earthy aroma of soil and verdant foliage. It felt less like a part of the academy and more like an isolated realm. And there, amidst it all... was Vanessa. Alongside a contingent of foreign elves from various other academies, all of them diligently tending to what appeared to be... watermelons. Riley paused for a moment. "...Since when did this exist?" The sight was so incongruous, it felt almost surreal. An assembly of elegantly refined elves—individuals who seemed more suited to the halls of royalty or the subjects of classical paintings—were engaged in manual labor, working the soil like common farmers. And they did so casually, peacefully. And why is it this extensive...? Does the church even permit such a thing? It was practically a small forest. Yet, no one seemed perturbed by its presence. If anything, their demeanor suggested a sense of comfort. Riley disregarded the curious glances directed his way and proceeded directly towards Vanessa. "Could I speak with you for a moment?" "Speak?" she inquired, tilting her head slightly and brushing a smudge of dirt from her hands. "Of course, what is it—" Her sentence remained unfinished. With a swift, fluid motion, Riley grasped her wrist and drew her to her feet. "Let’s find a more private location." "E-Eh?" Vanessa blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden action. "But—" She cast a brief glance back at the others before letting out a soft sigh. "...Very well. But at least release my hand for now." Riley hesitated momentarily, then let go. She straightened her attire, dusting off her trousers before standing tall once more. Vanessa. The Princess of the Elves. A high elf intrinsically linked to the World Tree—a figure many would regard as a saintess in her own right. And at this very moment... she appeared as though she had just concluded a session of agricultural work. "...Please, lead the way," she instructed. Riley offered a nod and began to walk. The pair moved further into the secluded grounds behind the church, eventually arriving at a tranquil alcove where the ambient sounds of the garden gradually receded. Unbeknownst to them... from a distance, several passing students had already observed their departure. ... Somewhere across the continent... within a region now designated as the Dark Lands... there stood the remnants of what was once a town. Alternatively, what little remained of it. Ruined structures leaned precariously against one another, seemingly on the verge of collapse, their timbers scarred black from ancient fires long since extinguished. The very earth beneath had turned desolate and lifeless, fractured in places, stained in others... as if an indelible mark had been left behind. No breeze stirred. No sound echoed. Nothing living stirred. Except... "Hmm~" A gentle, melodic hum permeated the desolate streets. It was an utterly incongruous sound. A young girl ambled along the ravaged pathway, her gait light and almost whimsical, punctuated by a subtle skip. At a glance, she appeared no older than fourteen or fifteen, yet her presence carried an unsettling quality. Too pristine. Too... untainted. Her garments remained immaculate. Her skin showed no blemish. Not a single speck of dust clung to her, even as she effortlessly stepped over charred debris and broken fragments as if they were nonexistent. She was utterly out of place in such a desolate environment. "Finally... Mother is allowing me to move freely~" Her voice resonated with a quiet elation, reminiscent of a child granted permission to play. Behind her... a headless knight stood motionless for a brief instance. Then... it detonated. Flesh and blood erupted outwards—but did not fall.Instead, it paused in mid-air, as though suspended by an invisible force, before collapsing inwards. Bone, muscle, armor—everything was crushed into a minuscule form.
A single orb of flesh, the size of a marble.
"Fwoosh~"
With a casual flick of her wrist, she sent it flying forward.
The orb descended, landing precisely at the heart of a magic circle etched onto the ground. This circle was ominously encircled by a disturbing arrangement of severed heads, meticulously placed as if for a ritual.
The instant it made contact—
The circle erupted in light.
A wave of darkness radiated outwards, causing the very air to feel constricted.
Her hair, the color of ripe wheat, shimmered faintly under the arcane glow. The gentle curls at its ends swayed softly as the ambient energy around her intensified.
There was an unmistakable unnaturalness to it all—a presence that felt utterly alien to the realm of the living.
A spark of interest ignited in her caramel-hued eyes.
Pure anticipation.
The earth began to quake.
From the nexus of the magic circle, a form started to ascend.
A grotesque mass.
Enormous.
Abominable.
Taking the rough shape of a corpse, or rather, something cobbled together from countless corpses, it pulled itself into coherence, growing and expanding until it towered as high as a dwelling. Limbs jutted out at impossible angles, and flesh melded together with utter disregard for any semblance of form.
Then—
It commenced its movement.
The girl observed the entire spectacle with a serene fascination, the corners of her lips tilting upwards in a slight, enigmatic smile.
"...Hehe."
Two months.
Merely two more months remained.
Her eyes sparkled with an inner gleam.
The wait already filled her with eager expectation.
